Gopalganj Shooting Incident Due to Circumstances: Home Affairs Adviser

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the Home Affairs Adviser, addressed the media regarding the shooting incident by the army following an attack on a gathering of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Gopalganj. He stated, “The shooting in Gopalganj occurred due to the circumstances. The ongoing Section 144 will be gradually lifted.”

Speaking to journalists after a meeting with law enforcement officials at the Secretariat on Sunday (July 20), he elaborated on the issue. Responding to questions about the army’s use of firearms, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, “Actions are taken based on the situation at the time. Those who commit wrongs will be arrested. I’ve said this before: no wrongdoer should escape, and no innocent person should be wrongly apprehended.” Commenting on the Gopalganj incident, he added, “I’m not denying what happened in Gopalganj. This is politics. In politics, many things happen at times… even when we were involved in politics, various incidents occurred at universities. The key question is whether action is being taken afterward, and whether we are capable of taking action.” Regarding legal action in the Gopalganj case, he said, “Whether the police will file a case or not, a committee has been formed, and they will decide. There is no mass arrest in Gopalganj. Only those who committed wrongs are being arrested.” When a journalist pointed out that nine children were reportedly detained in connection with the Gopalganj incident, the Home Affairs Adviser responded, “I have no such information.” On the question of whether law enforcement agencies would be able to maintain order during the upcoming national elections in February or April, he said, “Why wouldn’t the law enforcement agencies be able to conduct a fair election? We still have plenty of time, and our preparations are underway. Training is ongoing, and we are providing training. With proper preparation, God willing, there will be no difficulty in holding the election.” He further noted, “Today, we heard from law enforcement officials about how they are working, the situation before, and the current situation.”

Earlier, on Wednesday (July 16), clashes broke out between Awami League activists and law enforcement during an NCP gathering in Gopalganj. During the clashes, police and army personnel were seen firing shots. Following the incident, the government imposed a curfew in the district, which has now been lifted, though Section 144 remains in place. Reports indicate that five people were killed in the clashes.